Category Archives: Projects

Presidio El Camino

PRESIDIO EL CAMINO

Santa Clara, CA

Client:

CORE Affordable Housing

Lot Size:

0.82 Acres – 35,683 sf

Total Building Area:

32,734 sf

Units:

40 Affordable Units

Density:

0.092 FAR

Parking:

50 Stalls w/2 HC

Bike Parking:

40 Spaces

Sustainability:

LEED Gold Certified

Presidio El Camino is located within two blocks of City Hall, and as such, VTBS Architects was delighted to be charged with the prospect of setting the design character for the revitalization of Santa Clara’s historic city center. Following the directive of the City of Santa Clara by using California and Spanish Mission architectural styles, this infill project provides desirable affordable housing in 20 studio and 20 1-bedroom apartment configurations with 3,025 square feet of flex space.

A ground-level arched arcade, decorative tile accents and mission towers are a few of the project’s highlights. The development was constructed as a three-story, Type V-A building with an attached one-story Community Room for residents’ communal activities.

“I’d like to acknowledge how happy The Core Companies is about working with VTBS on the Presidio project. The architecture has been very well received by the community and I am very proud to have it represent The Core Companies. It has been a pleasure for me and our construction team to work with your office on this affordable housing project as part of the El Camino Grand Boulevard vision in Santa Clara.”
-Paul Ring, Director of Development
The CORE Companies

Greenwich Place

Greenwich Place

West Hollywood, CA

Client:

Turnberry/Regent LLC

Lot Area:

3 Acres – 130,000 sf

Area:

250,000 sf

Units:

104 Market Rate Condos
10 Townhomes
35 Affordable Units

Density:

1.96 FAR

Located in West Hollywood, CA, adjacent to the Southern California Design District and the Pacific Design Center, Greenwich Place is comprised of residential condominiums and affordable residences, bringing affordable housing opportunities to an up-scale neighborhood. The design calls for 104 units in the main structure with 6 townhouses at the north end of the site and 4 townhouses on the south side. Previously entitled as a mid-century brownstone walk-up design, Greenwich Place is in the approval process for redesign of the aesthetic of the exterior of the buildings.

655 Hope

655 HOPE

Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Client:

Seck Group, LLC

Area:

22,176 sf

Total Area:

115,675 sf

Total Units:

80 Live/Work Condominiums

Parking:

84 Stalls

A 17-story office building in downtown Los Angeles has been renewed as a Live/Work environment providing 80 condominiums within the top 11 floors, ground-floor retail and indoor parking. Rehabilitation work includes the replacement of exterior walls, complete reconfiguration of all floors and interior upgrades including floor-to-ceiling windows and 9-11 foot ceilings in each unit. The roof-top star-gazer entertainment deck and helipad overlooks the panorama of Downtown Los Angeles.

Teramachi

Teramachi

Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Client:

Teramachi Senior Housing LLC

Lot Area:

1.6 Acres

Building Area:

181,000 sf

Commercial space:

5,650 sf

Units:

127 Senior Apartments

Density:

2.6 FAR

Sited in an area of downtown Los Angeles abundant with shops, services and public transportation, Teramachi accommodates 127 condominiums for seniors drawn to their roots in an urban neighborhood rich in ethnic history.

The six-story contemporary project connects residents with a lively street scene via balconies and the floor-to-ceiling windows of units and community amenity spaces. The ground floor is activated by three retail spaces and a front yard garden. The street corner is marked by a drum form which expresses itself at the roof by a distinctive round parapet. A covered driveway provides off-the-street access to the building entry, and continues to ground level and underground parking. Common amenities are generous, with a stylish lobby, large two-story multi-purpose room and a gym. On each residential floor, a lounge with kitchen that residents can reserve is provided.

A break in the “street wall” at the south side of the courtyard opens the ‘zen’ garden to views and accommodates a partly-covered swimming pool, where careful screening provides tranquility enhanced by pools, fountains and lush landscaping.

Wisteria

WISTERIA

Palo Alto, CA

Client:

Multiple Families

Lot Areas:

Approximately 1,800 sf

Wisteria is a 12-unit infill development with New Urbanist design cues. The project consists of three basic plans of up to 1,500 sf with traditional cottage exterior detailing.

The color schemes and exterior elevation variations were carefully planned to provide the feel of a classic, older neighborhood. Garage entrances are placed at the rear of the homes with center-planted driveways, providing a buffer between living spaces. Front porches define entries and promote interaction with neighbors along the landscaped street, which incorporated existing old growth trees.

Campus Pointe

Campus Pointe / 850 Crest

San Marcos, CA

Client:

Wood Partners

Lot Area:

3.27 Acres – 144,000 sf

Area:

106,320 sf

Density:

33.2 du/ac

Parking:

184 Stalls – 1.7 Stalls per unit

VTBS provided architectural design for this rental apartment project located in San Marcos, California. The development consists of 108 living units in multiple configurations with attendant common use facilities contained in four three-story wood-framed buildings, constructed on grade. The clubhouse houses a recreation room, exercise room and restroom facilities.

“These units will be among the highest quality anywhere in North San Diego County. The atmosphere has the dynamic and exciting elements associated with a university area without the party lifestyle.”
-Brian Hansen, Wood Partners

Marina 41 Apartments

Marina 41 Apartments

Marina Del Rey, CA

Client:

Archstone Communities

Completion Date:

2004

This project involved the renovation of an existing residential rental community in Marina Del Rey, California. The work included interior renovations and modernization of building exteriors. New window and wall systems, balcony guardrails and other added building details unify the different buildings on site that range from three story garden apartments to high-rise towers with commanding views of the Marina.

Seacliff Country Club

Seacliff Country Club & Residences Masterplan

Huntington Beach, CA

Masterplanned Golf Community

Client:

Cayman Development

Lot Area:

120 Acres

Residential:

1,234 Residential Units

Golf Club Building:

40,000 sf

Tennis Club Building:

5,000 sf

A masterplanned community of 1,234 residential units comprised of 700 Single-Family homes, 330 Townhomes and 104 Master Series residences, the exclusive Seacliff Country Club was constructed in an area once devoted entirely to oil fields. Included is a 40,000 sf Country Club and a 5,000 sf Tennis Club building. An Italian Mediterranean village theme was used for this award-winning community.

Sustainable On-the-Boards Projects

Sustainable On-the-Boards Projects

The Plaza at Santa Monica / MPC & Clarett West
Pasadena 201 / Greystar
Pico Sepulveda / Casden Properties
The Weddington / Greystar
Sacramento Commons / Kennedy Wilson
Talaria @ Burbank / Cusumano
West LA 135 / Greystar
Picasso Pasadena / MPC & JVT
Picasso Brentwood / MPC & JVT

VTBS is proud to enthusiastically promote the design of healthy buildings that enhance the quality of life of its occupants. Currently, VTBS has numerous projects in various stages of design and development and is dedicated to the research, design and construction of sustainable buildings centering around these fundamental objectives:

-Holistic Design Solutions
-Preservation and Conservation of Natural Resources
-Promote Strategies for Reduced Dependency on Automobiles
-Material and Structure Re-use
-Increased Energy Efficiency
-Improved Indoor Air and Environmental Quality
-Innovation in Sustainable Cost Saving Strategies

Our holistic approach to Sustainable Design allows us to implement a process that minimizes costs and maximizes benefits. We investigate market-based solutions and carefully analyze the costs associated with each strategy against the benefits to justify its inclusion in the Lifecycle Cost analyses. We at VTBS have a commitment to the creation of sustainable buildings and communities. As individuals and as a firm, we are committed to the conservation of our environment and the intelligent utilization of our natural and cultural resources.

Johannes Van Tilburg Building

Johannes Van Tilburg Building

225 Arizona Avenue
Santa Monica, CA

Client:

Johannes Van Tilburg

Site Area:

7,500 sf

Office:

20,800 sf

Restaurants & Retail:

5,800 sf

Total:

26,600 sf

Density:

3.5 FAR

The Johannes Van Tilburg Building is one of four buildings designed by VTBS Architects to contribute to the revitalization of the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. Located on the prominent corner of Arizona Avenue and the Third Street Promenade, this structure houses ground-floor restaurants & retail with 3 floors, 2 mezzanines and a loft designated for commercial and/or office space. Structurally the building has a downtown warehouse ambiance with its large multi-paned windows, high ceilings and dome roof. Contemporary treatments, such as tiered terraces, colorful exterior and ground floor retail spaces complete the design.

Van Tilburg, a tenth generation builder/architect born and raised in Holland, believes the pedestrian quality of the District is the perfect setting for his urban renaissance design.

Pico Veteran Senior Housing

Pico & Veteran Senior Housing

Zev Yaroslavsky Apartments
Los Angeles, CA

Client:

Menorah Housing Foundation

Lot Area:

0.68 Acres

Building Area:

30,000 sf

Units:

46 Apartments

Parking:

36 Residential & Commercial

Stakeholders:

US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
County of Los Angeles
Los Angeles Housing Department

2012 Gold Nugget GRAND AWARD
Best Senior Affordable Housing Project

Formerly the Department of Public Social Services for West Los Angeles, the 20-year vacant building was a magnet for weeds, graffiti and vagrants. Named after LA County Supervisor, Zev Yaroslavsky (one of the project’s champions), the project provides 45 1-bedroom affordable senior apartments and one 2-bedroom Manager’s unit within a 2-story wood-framed building over an at-grade concrete parking structure. The Owner, Menorah Housing Foundation chose to establish their new Headquarters in the ground floor commercial office space.

One challenge of the project was to protect and incorporate the established ficus trees that shade the sidewalk fronting the structure on Pico Boulevard.

Brookdale Camarillo

Brookdale Camarillo

Camarillo, CA

Client:

Marriott Brighton Gardens

Area:

3.7 Acres – 88,000 sf

Assisted Living:

90 units – 57,700 sf

Skilled-Nursing:

45 beds – 18,600 sf

Special Care:

25 units – 11,700 sf

2002 Gold Nugget Award of Merit
Best Senior Housing

Brookdale Camarillo is a three-story complex with on-grade parking and is designed to provide different levels of care for the elderly in a residential environment. Offering 90 assisted living units, 45 skilled-nursing beds and a 25-bed special-care unit, the project is comprised of studio apartments, 1-bedroom, and 1-bedroom with den units as well as congregate spaces.

Indoor amenities include a large activity room, television parlor, living room and central dining room to encourage socialization between the senior residents, and richly landscaped courtyards have been designed to provide critical outdoor environments.

1207 4th Street

1207 4th Street

Santa Monica, CA

Client:

Johannes Van Tilburg, FAIA

Site Area:

7,500 sf

Building Area:

26,000 sf

Units:

1st Floor: Retail
2nd-4th Floors: Offices
Penthouse: 3 Live/Work Suites

Winner of the 2000 Gold Nugget Award of Merit for Best Mixed-Use Project, the innovative design of this unique building is a true blend of 3 mediums; Commercial, Retail and Residential (Live/Work). Located in the heart of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade District, the building led the way for high-density design in a tightly-woven neighborhood. Retail businesses occupy the 1st floor, while the 2nd, 3rd & 4th floors are comprised of offices with individual suites ranging from 2,500sf to 6,300sf. Topping off the the construction are 3 penthouse suites offering 800-2,040 sf live/work residences with commanding Pacific Ocean views from large terraces.

Belmont Village Thousand Oaks

Belmont Village Thousand Oaks

Ventura County, CA

Client:

The Belmont Village LLC

Lot Area:

5.01 acres – 222,000 sf

Total Area:

103,143 sf

Units:

105 Assisted Living
34 Memory Care

Density:

0.46 FAR

Parking:

63 stalls

The Belmont Village Thousand Oaks in Ventura County is a three-story split-level Mediterranean design offering unobstructed views of the Santa Monica Mountains. The facility contains both assisted-living and memory care units and is licensed as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE).

There are related kitchen, dining, gathering, office, administration and support uses on the ground level floor including a WiFi technology center and a professionally managed exercise center. Parking is provided on-grade with a concierge /transportation area available for residents’ convenience.

Comforting landscaping and separate courtyards are available for outdoor activities for the residents

Santa Monica Beach Houses

Santa Monica Beach Houses

Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, CA

Client:

Marios Saavides, West Development

Lot Area:

2,500 sf

Total:

7,500 sf

These three houses situated on the beach in Santa Monica, CA are all 3-story homes with amazing mountain and ocean views. They are a contemporary interpretation of a seaside coastal vernacular with Victorian touches and were completed in 1999. These homes are a clever solution to difficult site constraints. Two of the homes have a 2-car garage, 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The third home has a 3-car garage, 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. All three models have a media room and ample kitchen space.

“I have always loved wood clapboard beach cottages and skinny 17-feet wide houses (my Dutch heritage).”
– Johannes Van Tilburg, FAIA

Alexan Universal

Alexan Universal

Universal City, CA

Client:

Trammell Crow Residential

Lot Area

2 Acres – 87,000 sf

Area:

130,000 sf

Units:

138 Apartments

Density:

69 du/ac – 2.6 FAR

Parking:

282 Stalls

Across the street from Universal Studios in Universal City, CA, the infill site accommodates a transit-oriented development within a 1/4-mile walk of a Metro subway station with a 20-minute ride to downtown Los Angeles.

The apartment homes are housed in a single building that wraps around a wedge shaped courtyard. The intricate 4-story building features an interior corridor design with a north-south orientation optimizing sunlight in the central courtyard with a swimming pool. Residents benefit from two levels of subterranean parking, at-grade guest parking and a row of private garages along the west property line which make use of an easement for the subway line, and act as a buffer to adjacent single-family houses.

Renaissance La Jolla

Renaissance La Jolla Masterplan

La Jolla, CA

Client:

McKellar Development

Site Area:

114 Acres

Living Units:

2,500

Commercial:

50,000 sf.

Density (avg.):

2.1 FAR – 29 DU/AC

Renaissance La Jolla is planned as a grouping of Tuscan towns located in the “Golden Triangle” of the University Community Planning Area. It encompasses approximately 2,500 multi-family residential units, a 29 acre park, and a neighborhood commercial development consisting of 50,000 sf. on a total area of 114 acres.

The project is bounded on the west by Town Center Drive, by proposed Golden Haven on the north, and Nobel Drive to the south. University Town Centre and La Jolla Village Square, two regional shopping centers are located nearby. Planning and Architectural Design Guidelines were established to illustrate site planning principles and Architectural characters of the Renaissance La Jolla community.

Within each planning area, plazas and paseos are encouraged to establish pedestrian gathering places, while Architectural features such as towers and arcades are intended to frame visual axes and focal points. The Design Guidelines also encourage careful site planning that considers the total context of the site, the placement of buildings, building pads and streets, grading design, service functions and the relationship to adjoining developments with a special emphasis on maximizing views and the preservation of natural, riparian corridor and open spaces.

5600 Wilshire

5600 Wilshire

Los Angeles, CA

Client:

BRE Properties

Lot Area:

2.63 Acres -114,560 sf

Retail Area:

12,500 sf

Building Area:

315,000 sf

Density:

108 du/ac – 2.75 FAR

Units:

284 Units

Status:

Completed, November, 2008

On Wilshire Boulevard in urban Los Angeles, this project provides 284 apartments close to jobs, shops, cultural amenities and a future Metro subway station. An entire city block, the project responds to the conditions along its perimeter. Multiple entries activate the streets with pedestrian life.

The Boulevard edge offers neighborhood-serving ground floor retail and an expression recalling the 1930s department store once occupying the site, with corner cylindrical and lively central curtain wall elements.

Green features including materials selections and low water use landscaping are integral to the design. The first multi-family building in California to receive both LEED Silver certification and City of Los Angeles Green Building Program certification.

Village Green

VILLAGE GREEN

Sylmar, CA

White House Sponsored Green Technology Prototype Program

Client:

The Lee Group & Braemar Urban Ventures

Area:

17.59 Acres

Average Lot Size:

3,000 sf

Units:

186 Single-Family Homes

2000 Gold Nugget Grand Award
Energy Efficient Homes

This project represents one of five national pilot communities announced by President Bill Clinton in May 1998 through the Building America program and the federal government’s Partnership in Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH). The goal of this ambitious project was to use advanced technologies to produce energy efficient, environmentally sensitive, affordable, and adaptable residences. Innovative building strategies included the use of photovoltaics, steel-framed components and upgraded insulation.

A cooperative effort between the Federal government and private industry, this 186-unit detached single-family home community consists of two-story, three and four-bedroom residences with attached two-car garages, priced from $160,000. A .06-acre public park is located near the entry of the community with a tot-lot and Child Care Center and is within walking distance to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station.

UCLA Child Care Center

UCLA CHILD CARE CENTER

West Los Angeles, CA

Client:

UCLA – Capital Programs

Density:

171 Child Capacity

Area:

14,265 sf Indoor Area
14,535 sf Outdoor Area

The UCLA Child Development Center is a child care campus designed to serve the University of California at Los Angeles student and faculty community in West Los Angeles. Located in the master-planned University Village Family Student Housing, this facility serves 171 children in three child care programs. The planning of this campus revolves around the carefully balanced relationships between the three systems, each with its independently administered operation and programmatic requirements. The site design re-interprets the Campus quad concept in a series of courtyard playgrounds surrounded and interconnected with covered outdoor walkways. The buildings are carefully located to both define the shared-use areas and the required separations while preserving the integrity of the campus as one.